The Nirvana of the Red Devils: From the fog of Old Trafford to the sunny days of the Apennines

At the Frankie Stadium in Florence on September 14, 2025, when Hoylen threw away the defender and calmly pushed the shot through the goal guarded by De Gea in the 14th minute, the cheers of Napoli fans who were expeditioning with the team in the stands seemed to tear the night sky of the Apennine Peninsula. This Danish striker, who came from Manchester United, scored a clean and neat single goal, announced his perfect start in the Serie A arena, and quietly revealed an intriguing phenomenon in football - why do those players who were depressed and unsuccessful when wearing the Red Devils' robe always reborn after leaving?

1, 14 minutes to determine the world: In the 6th minute of the magic night, De Bruyne scored a penalty kick and took the lead for Napoli. 8 minutes later, Spinazola made an accurate pass, and Hoylen successfully formed a one-on-one strike against the side. Facing his former Manchester United teammate De Gea, he calmly pushed the shot from the far corner. This goal not only expanded the score to 2-0, but also allowed Hoylen to break the 4-month club goal drought - the last time he scored for the club went back to the May UEFA Europa League semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao. After the game, Hoylen gave two shots, five successful confrontations, and 82% pass success rate, and was ranked the highest 8.1 points in the game. From 10 goals and 2 assists in 52 games during Manchester United to scoring in Napoli’s debut, Hoylen’s transformation is like a dead tree. After the game, he couldn't hide his joy: "I'm very happy to score a goal. This victory is crucial. I hope to continue to maintain this momentum."

2. Double Stars Shining: The collective name of the abandoned league

Hoylen is not an isolated case. On the same day he scored, another Manchester United player, Greenwood, made a pass and shot in a 4-0 victory over Lorient in Marseille, leading the Ligue 1 assists list with 2 goals and 3 assists. The 23-year-old striker's net worth was once cleared after experiencing an off-court turmoil, and now he has returned to 40 million euros, just one step away from his peak of 50 million. What is even more sad is the "Manchester United Element" showdown in the game - Hoylen, De Bruyne, McTominay in Naples, and Fiorentine goalkeeper De Gea were all old players of Old Trafford. The scene of De Gea failing to save when shooting against Hoylen is similar to the microcosm of Manchester United's talent loss in recent years: Among the 17 players who have left the team in the past five years, 11 have improved their data in their new owners, and the average goal efficiency soars by 40%.

3. The mystery of the Red Devil: Is the system difficult or the environment sad?

After the game, "goal.com" captured the tragic cry of Manchester United fans: "It turns out that the problem lies with Manchester United!" This emotion is not groundless. Hoylen averaged only 18.7 touches per game at Manchester United, with a 9.8% shooting conversion rate; and he won three excellent opportunities in his debut in Naples.

Behind it is the essential difference in the tactical system:

Manchester United period: Tenhager emphasized front-court pressing and fast passing through the midfield, and the center was often left alone.

Naples: Conte's 3-5-2 system focuses on midfield support, and the two forwards take turns to attack the penalty area.

As Greenwood said after his rebirth in Marseille: "The locker room here is like a family, and the coach allows me to express myself freely." The psychological release brought by environmental changes may be more critical than tactical adjustments. Hoylen was under pressure of 85 million euros in Manchester United, and was criticized by British media after more than two games per goal drought; and in Naples, fans sang "Welcome to the Sunshine City".

4. Nirvana Revelation: Leaving is to better reunite the rise of Hoylens, tearing apart the talent flow paradox in modern football - the abandoned generals of the wealthy may not be defective, it may be just the screws installed in the engine incorrectly. Manchester United's turmoil in recent years (changing 4 coaches in 5 years, and three strategic transformations) has given rise to a unique "talent dyspepsia":

became the best player of the season at Real Betis;

Sancho Dortmund scored twice in his debut;

Now Hoylen and Greenwood continue this "Avengers" drama.

The deep logic may be hidden in Greenwood's sigh: "Football needs happiness, and happiness comes from being needed." When Manchester United indulged in superstar procurement (now signed Xieschko for 76.5 million euros this summer), but ignored the player adaptability and growth cycle, it is naturally difficult to escape the cycle of "buying people is like drawing cards, and employing people is like folding cards".

Epilogue: The setting sun in the Apennines and the fog in Manchester

Bay of Naples under the night sky, Hoylen and McTominay walk side by side. The Scots laughed and joked: "I remember you waited for 15 games for the first goal at Manchester United? Now it only takes 14 minutes." In the distance, De Bruyne was talking with his family on a video call, and the other end of the screen was the rainy and rainy in Manchester.

The world of football is from non-simple black and white. Manchester United's dilemma is not a fault for one person, and the player's nirvana is not a result of one city. But Hoylens used the ball under his feet to question: When the wealthy families became swamps of geniuses, should football be blamed for the soldiers who have flowed into water, or should the camp be reflected on?